Introduction
If you've ever wanted to host your own WordPress blog without dealing with complex server configurations, AWS Lightsail makes it simple. In this guide, I’ll walk you through deploying a live WordPress blog in under 10 minutes. This is ideal for beginners and anyone who wants a quick, low-cost setup to practice or publish content.
What You’ll Need
An AWS account (sign up at aws.amazon.com)
Internet access
No coding skills required
Step-by-Step: Deploy WordPress on AWS Lightsail
Go to the AWS Console and search for Lightsail
Click Create Instance
Choose Linux/Unix as the platform
Select WordPress as the application
Pick an instance plan (starting from $3.50/month)
Name your instance and click Create Instance
Wait about 2–3 minutes for your instance to be ready
Copy the Public IP address and paste it into your browser
You should now see your WordPress site live
Logging into the WordPress Admin Panel
In your browser, go to:
http://YOUR_PUBLIC_IP/wp-admin
Example: http://34.201.101.22/wp-admin
Enter the default credentials:
Username: user
Password: You will retrieve this from the Lightsail console
How to Retrieve the WordPress Password
Go to your Lightsail dashboard
Click on your WordPress instance
Click Connect using SSH
In the terminal that opens, type the following command:
cat bitnami_application_password
Copy the password that appears
What I Did Next
Once inside the WordPress dashboard, I practiced the following:
Changed the theme under Appearance > Themes
Installed the Elementor plugin for drag-and-drop page design
Created a sample blog post
Customized my site title, tagline, and added a contact page
Practiced adding images, menus, widgets, and organizing posts by categories
This gave me hands-on experience with real web design and content management.
Why I Chose AWS Lightsail
Simple and beginner-friendly setup
Predictable monthly pricing
Integrated SSH access without needing external tools
A perfect platform for practice, personal blogs, or quick client demos
What I’m Exploring Next
Setting up HTTPS using Bitnami’s HTTPS configuration tool
Scheduling automatic backups and snapshots
Connecting a custom domain name to the Lightsail instance
Conclusion
Launching a WordPress site on AWS Lightsail is a great way to learn both cloud infrastructure basics and content management using WordPress. If you're new to cloud computing or WordPress, this is a practical and cost-effective place to start.
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